[Avodah] Kama Maalot Tovot Lamakom Aleinu?

[David Wacholder]

While  Rabi Akiva was counting out 250  plagues and 50 on the sea ,  Roman
Emperor Hadrian was terrorizing  the Eretz Yisrael inhabitants, using every
cruel means available to him.  With each new torture or hanging, arose from
the people an outcry for revenge, for rebellion no matter at any costs. He
may have sought to portray the Romans as just another wave of oppression,
which can be waited out and weathered.

Whatever cruel tactics Rome could originate, Par'oh had used similar or
more intimidating tactics. The Haggadah teaches us that not even one of
Par'oh's deeds and plots was overlooked. Every one was noted and punished.
Only a sampling is given in the "Pshuto shel mikra".  Hadrian's punishment
was just as sure to come.

Punishment of the Mirzri nation, were that the only goal,  could have
tarried  decades longer.  The urgent matter was the impending collapse and
assimilation into Mitzrayim of the oppressed Bnai Yisra'el.  Immediate
action  was necessary to preserve their identity and save their mission.

The Guardian of the Jews saw a danger of many of the enslaved Jews
relinquishing their self-image as the noble Inheritors of Avraham Avinu's
mission.  In "my Haggadah" - each and every Jew needed "confidence building
measures"  showing them  that Hashem had not forsaken them before.

By accounting for all the suffering inflicted upon them, punishing each and
every act immediately, Hashem created or strengthened his connection with
them as a caring dependable guide. With a dependable guide, with a recent
track record of visible reward and punishment, Hashem created the
foundation of  trust and mutual confidence necessary for Yetzias Mitzrayim
and Har Sinai's covenant.

It was not sufficient to provide Manna and water in the parched desert -
they were scared that their freedom was but a brief interlude. Par'oh's
armies were still intact.

Possibly, it was necessary to change the Mitzriyish "vox populi", to
convince every Mitzri that  Bnei Yisra'eil should be treated better than
their Ram Gods, as the individual Jews are more powerful.  Rabeinu Yonah al
Hatorah poihts this out - (IMHO) that the gifts of clothing etc. were in
the way of veneration.   That explains why it was predicted so specifically
in Parshas Shmos.

[Texchnical point: Since the veneration was of the One Hashem, venerating
the Jews  was not Avodah Zarah. Also where necessary, a Bitul of the Avodah
Zarah before the gift.  ]

If I am partially or totally correct, that would be effective in making the
enslaved nation into a powerful independent group.  Each visible and
accountable meting out of fair justice, provided confidence in Hashem for
 the individual Jews, and for the entire nation.

If the Mitzrim forsook their Dog Star  and their Rams -  that would give
the Jews great confidence that the Geula was real and reliable. Part of
this individuation and separation - was from hearing their former
oppressors plead with them to leave, to save the Mitzrim further punishment.

Time after time,  they heard the Mirzrim admit that Hashem was all
powerful, and "engaged" - active. Par'oh  and his officials announced that
their idols their Gods - had been futile and of no effect.

Mitzrayim saw that it was futile to resist Hashem. Yisrael saw the Mitzrim
defeated, and the Presence of Hashem and his complete justice.  That gave
them confidence, that whatever evils plots Empires would plot against them,
Hashem would still be watching over them.

An important aspect of this  dramatization was for each evil inflicted by
the Oppressors - receive specific punishment in proper measure. .

Not only the original mild oppression, but also each of the escalations,
were planned to destroy the identity and morale of the Bnei Avraham, who as
yet had no firm identity.  Doubtless there were heiroglyphic manuals for
oppression of slave nations.  All were applied ruthlessly.

 As the Piyut says, Nagof L'mitzraim V'rafo L'yisra'el. The erstwhile
slaves needed to see their former masters admitting they were powerless
before Hashem. - a great turn=around. The proportionate nature of it gave
confidence that even in the darkest times, Hashem was dutifully watching
over them.

Summa cum laude, the highest praise, Hagada  counts even Rabi Akiva's 300
Makos.  Rabi Akiva teaches  that however much doubled and redoubled
destructive measures Rome utilizes, never will they achieve their aim,
never can they destroy the Jewish People.

Par'oh already had used every method and strategy, and it availed him not
at all. He received his full "Four Cups" of punishment.  Hadrian and Rome -
both in Rome and on the seas - could expect that they would soon come to
the same fate.
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